In a world facing conflict and war, climate challenges, rising inequalities and social polarization, as well as technological disruption, UNESCO must be a driving force for positive change—especially for countries, regions, and populations that are being left behind. It must shape international norms, implement them, and actively engage in major leadership forums such as the G20.

Key proposals:

• Strengthen UNESCO’s role in addressing current and global challenges through science – Enhance UNESCO’s role in scientific research to develop innovative solutions.

• Forge strategic alliances – Build stronger partnerships with UN agencies, the G20, international financial institutions, regional organizations, and civil society to expand UNESCO’s influence, reach, and impact.

• Promote science and ethics in global policymaking – Maintain UNESCO’s leadership in developing ethical AI and emerging technologies, digital governance, and science-based decision-making.

• Advocate for peace and conflict prevention – Reinforce UNESCO’s role in fostering peaceful relations, intercultural dialogue, conflict prevention, and post-conflict support. Peacebuilding is essential.

• Enhance UNESCO’s public awareness – Leverage digital platforms, strategic communication, and global advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and boost engagement and support for UNESCO’s mission.

At a time when trust in science is declining, and major economic, social, and environmental challenges are intensifying—alongside the spread of misinformation—UNESCO must lead the way in promoting, protecting, and advancing science, including international scientific missions, ensuring it serves both people and the planet. It must continue to pioneer the ethical governance of emerging technologies, safeguarding human autonomy and ensuring equitable and beneficial outcomes. UNESCO should also champion inclusive results in youth engagement, sports, and the fight against racism.

Key Proposals:

• Reaffirm UNESCO’s leadership in AI ethics – Build on the Readiness Assessment Methodology and launch an international financial instrument to help all Member States—especially the less wealthy—benefit from these technologies.

• Boost global scientific cooperation – Promote investment in science and launch international scientific missions (like CERN or similar initiatives) to address major challenges such as space exploration or climate engineering, pushing boundaries and strengthening the science-policy interface.

• Strengthen the role of biosphere reserves, geoparks, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission – Support a just climate transition through these vital scientific networks.

• Promote and protect science in crisis – Support scientists, especially women, and research institutions threatened by conflict, disaster, or political instability.

• Step up efforts in human rights and anti-discrimination – Institutionalize the Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination and its Call to Action as a leading international initiative.

• Advance gender empowerment in science and technology, including AI – Expand UNESCO programs like Women4Ethical AI, Women in Science, and Transforming MEN’talities to keep gender equality at the forefront.

• Secure a better future for younger generations through active collaboration – Strengthen financial and managerial support for youth-led initiatives, enhance youth policy, and promote youth-driven research, building on UNESCO’s global youth grants program.

• Promote sport as a driver of development, inclusion, integrity, and well-being – Ensure the safety of women and girls in sport through a dedicated international instrument.

Education is the foundation of peace and prosperity. UNESCO must reaffirm its global leadership in education policy and investment, ensuring that education spending enhances lives and aspirations, improves well-being, and contributes to reducing inequalities.

Key Proposals:

• Increase investment and improve the effectiveness of education programs – Boost education funding and ensure better returns by linking it with science, technology, and social policy. Ensure resources lead to measurable outcomes in learning and well-being through a life-cycle approach.

• Promote peace education and global citizenship – Strengthen values-based education with a focus on critical thinking, ethics, inclusivity, sustainability, and intercultural dialogue.

• Leverage AI and digital learning – Expand AI-powered educational tools while maintaining human oversight and equipping teachers with better tools and training.

• Expand lifelong learning and vocational training – Ensure access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and digital skills development to support workers in a rapidly changing world.

• Prioritize Africa, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and the Global South – Especially in conflict and emergency zones, UNESCO must do more for those most in need by providing targeted support to disadvantaged and crisis-affected regions.

We must maximize culture’s contribution to building more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies. Culture remains one of the most underused yet powerful assets for sustainable development. It must be deployed at scale—not only as a sector in its own right, but also as a strategic driver of development. Culture must be actively protected, adequately funded, and fully integrated into all public policies.

Key Proposals:

• Promote the implementation of culture as a global public good – Support Member States in designing and implementing cultural policies that are integrated with the economy, education, tourism, social inclusion, youth, and the environment. Manage cultural conventions holistically, breaking down silos and measuring culture’s real contribution to economic growth and inclusive development.

• Protect and develop cultural heritage – Prevent the loss of cultural property and strengthen restoration efforts, especially in conflict zones and marginalized regions, building on successful experiences like that of Mosul (Iraq). Combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property and promote international cooperation for its return to originating communities.

• Safeguard and promote intangible heritage – Preserve cultural traditions, expressions, knowledge, and skills by supporting communities, fostering intergenerational transmission, and integrating intangible heritage into sustainable development strategies. Work with local communities to meet their real needs and increase the visibility of underrepresented actors and regions.

• Strengthen the creative economy – Support cultural industries and artists by ensuring sustainable livelihoods through heritage and the arts. Reinforce the cultural sector as a whole, including its institutions, professionals, ecosystems, and infrastructure.

• Advance intercultural dialogue – Use culture as a tool to bridge divides, prevent conflict, and foster global cooperation. Connect culture with peace and security efforts and embed it into both pre- and post-conflict reconstruction strategies.

Access to reliable information is a pillar of democracy. UNESCO must protect press freedom, information integrity, digital culture, and a more responsible information ecosystem—particularly in light of the impact of social media on young people.

Key Proposals:

• Defend press freedom, information integrity, and journalist safety.

• Protect and strengthen the rule of law online – Combat disinformation and digital threats while advancing research and public policy.

• Bridge the digital divide – Ensure equitable access to knowledge and technology, especially in developing countries, Africa, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

• Promote open science and data access – Strengthen policies that make scientific and cultural knowledge accessible to all.

• Safeguard and promote the full representation, preservation, and revitalization of Indigenous languages – Support policies that recognize and protect Indigenous linguistic rights and encourage their use in technology, media, and creative industries.

To fulfill its mission effectively, UNESCO must evolve into a more modern, efficient, and accountable organization. Governance shortcomings, bureaucratic obstacles, and financial constraints currently hinder its ability to deliver tangible results. A bold reform is needed to streamline operations, enhance transparency, and empower UNESCO’s teams.

Key Proposals:

• Strengthen financial accountability – Improve budget allocation and expenditure tracking, ensuring responsible resource use and full transparency for Member States.

• Increase autonomy of field offices – Continue shifting from a centralized approach to greater regional empowerment by equipping UNESCO’s field offices with the resources and independence needed to deliver locally tailored solutions. Strengthen strategic coordination with headquarters, building on the successful implementation of the AI ethics strategy.

• Develop talent and staff – Reform internal incentives and institutional culture to reward excellence, innovation, and efficiency. Make UNESCO more attractive to top talent while addressing regional representation imbalances.

• Expand public-private partnerships – Deepen collaboration with philanthropic organizations, the private sector, and research institutions to unlock new sources of funding and expertise.

• Improve internal processes and working frameworks – Including in the area of communication, to support more agile and effective operations.

• Modernize governance structures – Work with Member States to make UNESCO’s governing bodies more results-driven and efficient.